Monday, December 28, 2015

It is still Christmas and Good News!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and are still enjoying the spirit and love of the season. I notice a lot of people are taking down their trees and ending the holiday, but did you know that Christmas is not over?

In the Catholic church, Christmas is still celebrated. From the Epiphany, when the Magi found baby Jesus to the baptism of Jesus, which closes the season. I never knew that or maybe I forgot, but I have always kept my decorations up through the month of January, so I celebrated, without even knowing it. So, if you love the warmth and feeling that your decorations bring to your home, enjoy them and keep them up for a few weeks longer.

I have always felt that let down after Christmas and now I feel a renewed joy with the special masses each week. Next week we will have a special concert after mass with the children depicting the events of the nativity. Whether you are catholic, christian, or any religion or belief, why not keep the spirit of Christmas in our hearts, just a bit longer and continue to feel the joy that we get leading up to Christmas, maybe even start your own, new tradition with your family.

This is our church, I love how it is decorated in natural greenery, along with the poinsettias and creche. The church has been a source of strength for us since we lost Danielle and I only wished it hadn’t taken her death to lead us back. The photo is a panorama so it looks a bit distorted.

Saturday was family day, we had Nicholas for the day and since it was nice out, we took a ride to the ocean and enjoyed a picnic at the beach. Grandpa and Nick enjoyed watching the ferry, as Nick ate his lunch.

After lunch, we walked a little on the beach. It was nice and sunny, but the breeze was a bit cool. Nick loved walking in the sand and exploring the items that get washed up with the tide.

I love how he starts getting more independent when we take him places. I am blessed to be able to spend time with him and share our love of nature with him.

I hope everyone had a nice weekend and would love to hear what new things you will be making this year. I have new ideas and will be creating again, so who knows what I will create next.

And the good news? If everything goes well, Nicholas will be a big brother, so something to look forward to in May, a new addition to the family.

16 comments:

Debbie, is that the ferry that goes to Block Island?I got 2 new rug hooking patterns, 2 dye books, and 2 rug hooking books so I have enough to keep me busy for quite awhile. Many blessings to you and family for the New Year.

Yes, for our family, the few weeks after Christmas were just as festive as the week of Christmas itself, as this was the time when we would make the time to visit the homes of relatives and friends and they would visit ours. I am saddened that so many are in such a rush to put everything back in a box the day after Christmas. For me, it is usually the first that I can actually sit down and enjoy the decorations, lights...sights and sounds of Christmas.... So strange to see the water and beach... We have a major winter storm raging outside right now. 5" of snow and counting. I think I'm ready for spring already. Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

Nick is going to have such wonderful memories of the time spent with his grandparents - he's a lucky little boy! And you're lucky that you get to spend so much time with him. We usually leave our Christmas décor up until Epiphany.

I am so very glad that you're finding solace in the church, Debbie. And I pray the God of All Comfort continue to mend your broken hearts - I was happy to see that Danielle's gravestone made it in time. What a blessing. And what a blessing too that Nick is going to be a big brother - I'm so excited for you all!!!

Congratulations on the new grand baby. Very exciting to have that to look forward to in the new year. We always kept our decorations up until New Years but now my house is small and with the tree and decorations everything looks cluttered. I enjoy them but look forward to putting things back in their place.

Debbie, How exciting, a grandbaby to spoil. Some good to look forward to in 2016.

Growing up near Tarpon Springs, we always kept our decorations up until January 6, Ephiphany. To us, that was the 12th Day of Christmas. My BFF is Greek and we would go to Tarpon Springs to watch the young Greek men dive into the cold waters to retrieve the cross thrown by the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church, then we would feast on fabulous Greek food. Back home, we would take our decorations down. Like Melinda, I also lived in a Presbyterian home.